Marcia

This book is a compelling story that ties in so beautifully with the human condition and natural world dilemma. Kingsolver bridges the gap of communication between social, political and academic cultures in this country through the eyes of a truly remarkable Kingsolverian character. She paints with words a world so precious and so precarious that I'm torn in two listening to it.

Kingsolver herself narrates this wonder like she's been on stage her entire life. Who but she would know these people so spectacularly well but how often does an author live up to the challenge? This was one of the best books I've ever read.

Perhaps if the preview had been more accurate, I might be more favorable in my review. A majority of this book was all about the author, how amazing he is and how no one could see past his lack of vision. Very little (other than the title) was about the dog and that is what I wanted to know about. How was she trained? How was that bond created? How do they assess which dog will be the wonder dog that works as the eyes for a human being? There was no research into how the four legged component of his team got where she is.

The tale of 9/11 was compelling because of content, but it was less than half the book.

I found Mr. Hingson a fairly unlikable character and unfortunately, the book was 95% about him. Yes he is remarkable in his accomplishments in communities that constantly underestimate his abilities, but his lack of humility and sense of humor made the book tiresome by the end. I'm sure that the purpose of this book is to educate the sighted population on the abilities and challenges of the blind but the sanctimonious flavor that this book creates towards those of us who can see was distasteful. As much as it may be justified, a chip on the shoulder of any author does very little to contribute to a compelling read.

I think Christopher Prince was the best thing about the book.

No! I won't buy anything from this author again.

This well written book took me to the rural English countryside, back to elementary school and back to the planet through the remarkable eyes of a wonderful ten year old boy. David Tennant honored that boy with the best character reading I think I've ever heard on any audible book recording. I laughed and cried and was strengthened by this tale. It's so funny, and so sad and so very uplifting.

I think Sonia (sp?) was my favorite. What an amazing, tenacious character. She is brave and strong and wise way beyond her years, but Pitchard still managed to create her as a ten year old girl.

This is another tough question. There were so many wonderful scenes. I love how Pitchard described the sun coming into the car on the way to the contest as 'inside of an egg yolk'. My favorite has to be the saddest scene though, where Jamie finds his cat and understands what his father is dealing with. What a beautiful and poignant was to describe a boy growing into an empathetic young man.

Yes

I'll listen to anything that David Tennent reads (except Doctor Who books. I think that's beneath him.)

After three books of a story that crawls like a 3 legged beetle, I'm done. I no longer care who lives and dies. It's like a never ending soap opera with violence, sex and lousy weather.

It never went anywhere. After 3 books and hours of listening, nothing really happened.